Blowing Rock Real Estate-Boone Real Estate-Meris Gantt-Buyer's Agent

Summer is in full swing here in the Boone/Blowing Rock area. Spring seems to be but a fleeting thought that appeared disappeared when you weren't looking. Temperatures have been in the 90's all week and everything is in full bloom especially our native gem the Rhododendron.

Area schools finally let out this past week. Doesn't it seem later and later each year? I know the kids feel that way. All of these signs point to the fact that the summer tourist season is in full swing.

If you're in the area, the Blowing Rock Stage Company is presenting The Immigrant "It is a beautiful play that truly captures the American experience of assimilation, tolerance and understanding. I think our audiences will see much of their own history in this play.” Says director Kenneth Kay of the play which is second in the company's summer season. Performances start June 13 and run through the 22nd. Call the box office at the Miriam and Robert Hayes Performing Arts Center for specific times and rates (828) 295-9627.

"Art in the Park" kicks off June 14th in Blowing Rock. The festival features local artists and vendors and it's right near the playground and shops. It's a wonderful way to spend a Saturday with the kids mulling around downtown. Everything starts around 10. I'd come early to avoid the mid-day heat and traffic.

This is the peak time of year if you're an outdoor enthusiast or just enjoy being outside. Try your hand at trout fishing in one of our many stocked streams. There are plenty of opportunities to go canoeing, kayaking or tubing. For guided tours check out Wahoo's for a range of activities and rates. Of course there are plenty of hiking trails all over the area for every skill level but that deserves a blog all to itself. More to come on that at a later date. There's also horseback riding, canopy tours or if you want to sit back soak it all in, grab an ice cream cone at Kilwin's downtown Blowing Rock and just watch the world go by.

I think it's finally safe to say that the warm weather is here to stay. After a relatively mild yet long winter I really appreciate every day as a gift. The trees are finally getting green as you look across the John's River Gorge, chirping birds wake you up in the morning, the air is warm but has just enough crispness to it to make you feel like you're really in the mountains. Everyone seems to breathe easier and relax into the beautiful six months of weather that we have ahead of us.

Appalachian State graduation was last weekend. That's right, the kids are out for the summer. I'm always surprised at how early the college kids get out of school, when the other schools in the area still have another month. Boone is hardly a ghost town though. In addition to the students that decide to stay through the summer, it's the time of year where we trade out students for out- of-towners. The normal congestion in the Downtown area in Boone and Blowing Rock does a little repreve in the few transition weeks before the real "summer season" hits. So....the next month is one of the very best times to plan a visit to the High Country.

There is so much going on in the next few months, I'll touch on a few key activities now and then come back and post some more later.

The Watauga County farmers market is heating up. While it's not at full force yet there are still some local vendors with pre-season goods. Stock up on potted plants, herbs and seeds. Now's the time to plant them yourself and enjoy them for the rest of the summer. You can check out the market every Saturday morning at Horn in the West off of 105 ext. in Boone.

Load up the kids, Tweetsie is finally open. The wild west theme park opens full time on May 23rd and is open on weekends up until then. Younger children will be excited about a "Day Out With Thomas". If you're not familiar, Thomas is a train engine first made famous in children's books and later in an animated series. The event takes place May 30th-June 8th and features storytelling, a 25 minute long ride with Thomas and getting to meet Sir. Topham Hatt in person. Who could ask for anything more?

The last quick thing I'll touch on is Boone's own Scream Time Zipline! I'm really excited about this. It's probably not a great idea seeing that I'm "expecting," but believe you me, come late Fall, I'll write a first hand account. I don't know of a better way to bag a thrill ride and a beautiful tour of the area in one punch. The check-in is out 421 towards Vilas. Click on the site for more specific directions. There are a variety of packages to choose from. The regular tour is 2 1/2 hours of zipline fun. Go to this link and check out the video to see what all of this is about.

That about wraps up my little teaser about some High Country happenings. There's so much more heating up that I'll have to get back to in later posts.

On a quick real estate note: The Boone - Blowing Rock real estate market held steady through the winter and is really starting to warm up as the sap rises. It's a great time to look whether you're looking for a vacation home, something for your child who's at school at ASU, or looking to relocate permanently to this amazing part of the world. There is so much on the market right now. Check out the Watauga, Avery, and Ashe County MLS SEARCH on my web site or contact me directly. I'd love to show you what's out there.

Come and visit Grandfather Mountain for one dollar a head through April. There's only one catch... you have to be a resident of Mitchell, Avery, Watauga, Wilkes, Alleghany or Ashe counties. If you're not just be in the car with someone who is. As long as someone in the car has proof of residency, you're in. April is the month that Grandfather Mountain reaches out to the locals who might not get there any other time of year without an incentive. So come on out! If you're not a local, make friends with someone who is. It's a great opportunity to check out the park.

Spend a day exploring the hiking trails.

Check out the animals like bears, cougars, deer, river otters and bald eagles in their natural habitat.

This family of otters know how to entertain.

One of several offspring of the infamous Mildred the bear!

If you're lucky, you'll get a rare, up close look at a Bald Eagle.

If you're brave enough...walk across the mile high swinging bridge.

You can't really tell how high this is until you are actually on it. It's amazing!

April is a great time to go. Many of the animals are starting to poke their heads out, and you don't have to fight the crowds like you would later on in the season. Give a call before you go 828-773-4337. The hours change a few times through April so it's best to call ahead and check. They can give you an idea of what the weather is like as well. It's always a great day for the whole family and you sure can't beat the price!

Spring snuck up on me this year. Growing up in the coastal region of North Carolina I never had too much winter to complain about until I moved to Blowing Rock. Now I know that in comparison to other areas in the north, even at our high elevation, the winters here really aren't that bad. Still for me I'm nearing the end of my third winter and it's taking some adjustment. Usually come February, I'm chomping at the bit and staring longingly out the window for any sign of a Robyn or daffodil, but this year I didn't really have time to think about it before it was well on it's way. Not to say that we won't have some more chilly days or a freak snowstorm through April but it seems as though the temperature it's starting to heat up for good.

There's no better way to kick off the spring season than with the annual Blowing Rock Trout Derby. The event kicks off at 6am on Saturday April 5th and continues on Sunday from 12-4. Registration is free!It's a great event for the kids and gives everyone a good excuse to get out and shake off the winter blues.

Prizes are anything from cash to trophy's, fishing gear and tickets to local events. Take your fish to the American Legion building on Wallingford Street in Blowing Rock to see if it measures up. I think a warm day outside on the lake is prize enough for me...assuming our beautiful streak of weather keeps up.

Keep in mind that North Carolina law now requires everyone to have a fishing license and believe me, they mean it. Almost every time I've been out fishing they've showed up and checked licenses. Pretty sure they won't miss the Trout Derby. You can purchase an yearly license from your local bait shop. I believe Walmart sells them too. You can also purchase one online.

Get out there and enjoy the laid back pace of winter mixed with the gorgeous spring sunshine. Make it a day to remember.

To my delight, Friday morning the Boone - Blowing Rock area was greeted by the beautiful remains of a brutal ice storm. Many were left with fallen trees and power outages. Most people I talked to were unaffected though ASU did cancel classes. These are just a few pictures that I was able to snap before all of the ice melted mid-day. It finally warmed up a little today but not enough to forget that there's a decent 2-3 good months of winter yet to come. Skiers and Snowboarders are in luck! Looks like you've got a pretty good season ahead of you! As For the rest of us, bundle up, relax, put on a pot of chili and enjoy the slow pace of this laid-back time of year.